So you wanna hear some Church gossip? Have you heard the story of the book club in Shannon Hale's Ward? During a book club meeting last year, as they were deciding on the next book to read, someone suggested they read one of hers. Shannon did not support the idea, but was unsuccessful at persuading them to pick another book. They choose her book Austenland because it is written for an adult audience. I've read the book, I wasn't offended by anything in it. But one sister in the ward was. She wrote a letter of complaint to the Bishop, the Stake President, and to the offices of some folks at Church Headquarters. No joke! But really, what a joke! What a nitwit, eh? So that you know, Shannon has not left the Church over this experience. This story isn't pure gossip, it actually did happen. And I thought you too may find it humorous.
Sooooo, introducing Shannon's second adult fiction novel, The Actor and the Housewife. I can't remember if there are any swear words in it. Please don't be offended if there are. Ha! I enjoyed Austenland. I really enjoyed The Actor and the Housewife. I even cried. I don't do that often with books.
So you know, I'm not one to actually read the back of a book to see what it is about for two reasons. First: I expect an author to tell me a story, and I don't want to know anything that is coming up or make any assumptions before hand based on the story summary. And second: I trust my friends' opinions, whether they enjoy it or not.
I also listen to any advice my friends have regarding books, like for The Host, you have to read 50 -100 pages before you really start to understand what is going on.
Here's my advice for this book: Don't look too much into what is going on in this story.
Have you seen the movie Shall We Dance? I didn't enjoy one moment of the movie because the whole time I thought the lead character was going to cheat on his wife. Don't spoil this book by reading too much into it.
But instead, grab yourself a bowl of green jello, sit back, and enjoy this lighthearted story of a Utah housewife and her best friend, a really hot A-listed Hollywood movie star.
Oh, and I'm currently reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I'm not sure how to post it on the side...
Sooooo, introducing Shannon's second adult fiction novel, The Actor and the Housewife. I can't remember if there are any swear words in it. Please don't be offended if there are. Ha! I enjoyed Austenland. I really enjoyed The Actor and the Housewife. I even cried. I don't do that often with books.
So you know, I'm not one to actually read the back of a book to see what it is about for two reasons. First: I expect an author to tell me a story, and I don't want to know anything that is coming up or make any assumptions before hand based on the story summary. And second: I trust my friends' opinions, whether they enjoy it or not.
I also listen to any advice my friends have regarding books, like for The Host, you have to read 50 -100 pages before you really start to understand what is going on.
Here's my advice for this book: Don't look too much into what is going on in this story.
Have you seen the movie Shall We Dance? I didn't enjoy one moment of the movie because the whole time I thought the lead character was going to cheat on his wife. Don't spoil this book by reading too much into it.
But instead, grab yourself a bowl of green jello, sit back, and enjoy this lighthearted story of a Utah housewife and her best friend, a really hot A-listed Hollywood movie star.
Oh, and I'm currently reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I'm not sure how to post it on the side...
9 comments:
what the!? someone was offended by AUSTENLAND!?
i didn't even know shannon had a new book out. i'm definitely reading this one.
oh and caprene, just let me know what you're reading when it changes. i'll add it. thanks :)
caprene, so excited you've joined the book blog, i love your thoughts.
i need to read a shannon hale book. everyone keeps talking about them. someone once told me (think it was you lisa) that her writting is like soft-core porn. i'm all about that. ha! just kidding. i just love me some romance. no harm in that, right? ;)
ha! i don't think shannon hale is anywhere near stephenie meyer's "soft-core porn"! i can't remember austenland very much, so maybe that one was. the others are romantic, but definitely not racy AT ALL... or even slightly suggestive as far as i can remember. goose girl is shannon's best in my opinion. i would start there :)
k, i need to borrow that one. :)
I can't wait to read the new Hale book! I love her stuff, and I agree that 'The Goose Girl' is the best. Liked 'Austenland' but it was a totally different feel. I'm on thet waiting list at the library and I'm #136 in line... maybe I'll borrow it from someone??
WHAT!? you're #136!!?? i'm on the list, too. i bet i'm way further down the line.
Austenland was the first book of hers I read and I LOVED it (but I'm a sucker for romance). I did enjoy Goose Girl as well. I borrowed it from the library as a book-on-cd and only had to wait one week. Just a thought.
And I cannot belive someone would get offended by a book like that and then write everyone from her Bishop on up. That's crazy!
I've read all her books now. I got on a little kick at the beginning of the summer of just reading everything by an author. I love all her books because they are quick, and more importantly clean reads. I've gotten my sister-in-law hooked too (anything to get my family members to read something by a Mormon...hehe)
Hmm, soft-corn porn? Most of her books are kid/teens' books. My 5-year old niece is enjoying having her mom read them to her (especially the Goose Girl series and Princess Academy). I don't think I'm contaminating her mind?
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